“Super Mario”, as he’s known abroad, is becoming less and less of a mystery as Summer League rolls on. The self-confident young guard, whose been dubbed “Europe’s Kobe Bryant Wanna-Be”, has already turned heads. In just his first outing, Magic rookie Mario Hezonja knocked down a game-winning three to sink the Clippers in overtime. And he didn’t stop there.

The 20-year-old Croatian and No. 5 pick in the Draft is averaging 13 points a game in Summer League so far and getting his buckets in style. Watch him channel that inner (young) Kobe and dunk all over Oklahoma City in the video above. Later in the same game, Hezonja proved he could do it off the lob as well:

One thing’s for sure: Hezonja’s got the physical tools to succeed at the NBA level. And if you don’t believe it, you may just end up on a poster.

The Detroit Pistons have to be pleased with the play of Stanley Johnson in the Orlando Summer League. The former Arizona Wildcat has been doing it all, averaging 17.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.3 steals a game on 64 percent shooting from the field. If you didn’t think this guy was worth the No. 8 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft before, you probably do now.

With his athleticism, Johnson has the ability to be a serious factor on both ends of the floor. In the highlight above, watch him sprint back and time his jump perfectly to deny Romero Osby at the rim.

Former Kentucky Wildcat Aaron Harrison is getting his first taste of NBA action in the Orlando Summer League, playing for the Charlotte Hornets’ squad. After going undrafted, the young guard has been eager to prove himself. In this particular case, perhaps he was a bit too eager. Watch Keith Benson, a second-round pick back in 2011, absolutely obliterate Harrison’s dunk attempt.

The Miami Heat are now 2-0 in the Orlando Summer League, thanks to Tyler Johnson’s buzzer beating lay-up in Sunday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. With 0.4 seconds left, 10th overall pick Justise Winslow delivered a beautiful lob that Johnson finished strong at the rim. Take a look in the video above.

With the No. 5 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic selected Mario Hezonja, the 6-8 Croatian who spent last year with Barcelona in the Spanish League. “Super Mario,” as he’s known abroad, has been called “Europe’s Kobe Bryant Wanna Be,” due partially to his killer instincts—and his supreme confidence in himself.

Well, he certainly looked like Kobe over the weekend, when he nailed this game-winning three to lift his Magic over the Clippers in the Orlando Summer League. Check out the clutch shot above.

Just over two minutes remained in the first half against the Brooklyn Nets in Orlando on Sunday. Miami Heat rookie Shabazz Napier grabbed a defensive rebound, immediately looked up court and took one dribble before spotting James Ennis streaking down the right-hand side of the floor. Napier’s nifty, two-handed bounce pass from above his head found Ennis in stride and the swingman only needed one dribble to throw down a vicious one-handed, tomahawk jam.

Ennis hung 29 points on the Nets in the game, draining seven of his eight attempts from three-point land. Over Miami’s first three Summer League bouts this week, the former Long Beach State forward is posting 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 55.2 percent from the floor and a blistering 69.2 percent from deep.

His form isn’t fluid like a natural-born sharpshooter, but his bombs always look smooth, ripping through the net while hardly ever grazing the rim. At 6-7 and 200 pounds with a 6-11.5 wingspan, he’s got the look of today’s prototypical 3-and-D NBA small forward. Yet despite Miami selecting him No. 50 in the 2013 NBA Draft, Ennis did not play for the Heat during the regular season.

The 24-year-old Ventura, CA, product is poised to make his rookie debut with the defending Eastern Conference champions this winter after the Heat drafted Ennis and stashed him overseas in Australia during 2013-14 season. Ennis was one of the 15 second-round picks in last year’s Draft that played overseas or in the D-League this past season. Eight of those players were American.

“I would say there are approximately 10-15 second-round slots [each year] that the player actually has a chance to make the NBA roster,” one NBA agent told SLAM. “The rest have pretty much been agreed prior to selection that the team will likely stash the player and hold his rights for a season.”

Another agent added: “That’s just what today’s NBA has become.”

The concept is a byproduct of teams concentrating more than ever on every single cent of precious cap space in today’s era of rediscovering the greatness of super teams. It comes from the same line of thinking that led Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin to trade Jarrett Jack, Tyler Zeller, Sergey Karasev and a protected future first-round pick this week, opening $24 million in cap room based on the mere hope of signing LeBron James to a max contract.

Teams are opting to stash second-round prospects to clear up just about $500,000 in cap space for Championship-contending free-agency maneuvers.

If you’re the American player selected with the second-round pick, choosing to play overseas rather than slog through an often-tumultuous D-League season seems like a no-brainer. The maximum a D-League player can make is $25,500 per season, league sources told SLAM prior to this past season. And, only one player on each team can earn that A-contract salary. Most D-Leaguers collect B- or C-contract salaries of $19,000 and $13,000, respectively.

Most European contracts start salaries for American-born players at around $75,000, according to league sources, with fringe-NBA players often pulling six-figure deals loaded with amenities like free housing, a car and per diem. The financial aspect is what led Ennis abroad rather than playing for the Heat’s D-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

“It gave me an opportunity to help my family out. The main reason I went overseas is just because of my family,” Ennis told SLAM. “I came from a poor background, so when I had a chance to play in the D-League or go overseas, I looked at my family and I was like, They’re my motivation. They kept me going. It was kind of tough, but I pulled through it.”

Ennis’ mother, Denise, is slightly disabled and is physically unable to work while rehabbing a leg injury. His father, James Sr, works part time for a painting company. Ennis’ contract with the Perth Wildcats in Australia was worth six figures, according to his agent Scott Nichols. That money certainly went a long way for Ennis, his parents and his five siblings.

Meanwhile, the chance to play in a competitive league overseas provided an opportunity for Ennis to freely develop the specific skills Miami preferred he improved.

“We’re very optimistic about James. He exceeded what we expected,” Heat Vice President Chet Kammerer told reporters on June 23. “He should have been MVP in the league [in Australia]. His numbers were very good. We are very happy with what transpired.”

In 33 games, Ennis averaged 21.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the Wildcats while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. He earned team MVP while leading the Wildcats to the 2013-14 National Basketball League championship. Today, he laughs off being snubbed in the NBL’s overall MVP voting which named former Butler guard Rotnei Clarke the league’s top player.

“I think I got cheated,” he says with a big smile. “But it’s all good. It was politics.”

Ennis returned home for four days before signing with Piratas de Quebradillas of Puerto Rico’s Baloncesto Superior Nacional. He lit up the BSN for 12 games before returning to the Heat in June to prepare for Summer League.

Miami was pleased with Ennis’ progress during his “stashing” year, to say the least.

“James did a good job across the board,” Kammerer continued. “We wanted him to expand his range. He shot the ball well from three. He was the fourth rebounder in the league [in Australia]. Averaged over 7 rebounds a game for a wing, which was very good. We want to see him create a little more off the dribble. A lot we’ll see this summer and in the fall.”

This summer has treated Ennis well. Alongside the Pistons’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ennis has clearly been one of the top performers in Orlando. His success is not only crucial for the Heat, but he’s also a perfect example for NBA teams of how progressive drafting and stashing American second-round picks can prove to be.

“I worked a lot. Once I went there, I had a coach named Adam Tatalovich and we worked each and every day after practice,” Ennis says. “We put a lot of shots up, you know, off the dribble, pull-up game, three pointers. He worked with me a lot and I think I gained a lot of confidence overseas.

“I think I improved my defense a lot. Last year in Summer League, I used to just reach a lot, but now I think I can actually contain my guy by moving my feet laterally.”

Individually, Ennis is sitting in a perfect situation for next season. If the Big Three stay put in Miami, the Heat would benefit from Ennis’ ability to fill a void on the wing left by Shane Battier while also likely only earning a rookie minimum salary per the CBA. Meanwhile, if the Heat fail to retain James and Chris Bosh, there will be a surplus of playing time for Ennis on a would-be diminished Heat roster.

Of course, Ennis is hoping to join an NBA contender rather than a middling team in the Eastern Conference. But regardless of what scenario he joins in Miami, Ennis can’t help but beam about realizing his childhood dream.

“It’s really exciting and I just thank God for giving me another opportunity to represent the Heat and actually get a chance to play for them,” Ennis says. “Man, it’s a dream come true. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was little. I always told my brothers and sisters I would play in the NBA and here I am.”

ORLANDO — There is a tremendous history of famous lineage in the NBA. The influence of top college basketball programs is also fairly omnipresent in the League. Then you have Mason and Miles Plumlee, brothers who equally complement and exemplify each phenomenon. The two siblings, from Warsaw, IN, played three seasons together at Duke and were solid contributors to the 2010 Blue Devils team that won the NCAA National Championship. In ’11-12, they were joined by their youngest brother, Marshall, too.

Now, Marshall is preparing for his red-shirt sophomore season in Durham, NC, and Miles and Mason are continuing the school’s legacy of producing high-quality NBA talent. The Indiana Pacers selected Miles with the 26th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. More recently, the Brooklyn Nets made Mason the 22nd overall pick on June 27. This year’s Draft was an experience neither will ever forget.

“It was cool because I didn’t go to New York when I got drafted,” Miles says. “It was cool to be there and see the whole production and see him go up on stage. That kind of the iconic moment, watching him shake David Stern’s hand. Our family had a great time.”

Having his older brother and his entire family with him in the Barclays Center certainly added to the already special night for Mason, too.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Mason says. “I know I wasn’t guaranteed to go in the Lottery, but there was an outside chance. And besides that, it was David Stern’s last Draft, I ended up going to Brooklyn anyway, it just worked out perfectly. I was glad [Miles] was there. I wanted to spend that night with my family so I was glad they all made it.”

With both brothers being selected by teams in the late first round, they were immediately added to winning teams in the League. For Miles, he watched from the sidelines as his Pacers battled the Miami Heat to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals in June. Mason is now the youngest player on a Nets roster that has a “Championship or bust” mindset.

Miles has already gained a lot from being within a winning culture.

“I’ve learned a lot from just sitting on the bench and watching Roy [Hibbert], David West and really all the guys on our team,” Mile says. “Just the way we play our system, especially defensive-wise.”

The lessons he learned in his rookie year forged his momentum into this crucial offseason.

“I think I have a lot more confidence and that comes from when you’re putting the work in,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot from a lot of great players, I’ve been working really hard and it’s just starting to come together. I’m really excited about this season,”

Mason’s rookie season should be similar to that of his older brother’s. He’s the first-round draft pick of a team that traded for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce during the same night his NBA dreams came true. He’s also the last first-round pick Brooklyn will have until 2015.

“I can’t wait, I feel like I’m on the Beatles,” Mason says of his star-studded roster of teammates. “We’ll see what we got. We’ve got all the names that’s for sure.”

But, for two guys who will be undoubtedly be considered key role players during the winter, both Plumlees entered the Orlando Pro Summer League this past week as leaders and focal points of their team’s gameplans.

For Miles, it was basically an audition to fill the role that Tyler Hansbrough has vacated for a gig with the Toronto Raptors. Mason, on the other hand, was warming up to be the backup for a future Hall of Famer.

“I just wanted to really focus on what I’ve been working on, really play within the team, play hard and show people my motor out on the court,” Miles said. “I’ve been working on simple things—my post game, defensively really making more calls and anchoring the defense and protecting the rim.”

Miles didn’t disappoint. He averaged 10.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in 27.0 minutes per game before twisting his ankle that kept him out of the Pacers’ final game against the Utah Jazz. His ankle won’t sideline him much longer and he thinks his performance is just a preview of what he can bring to the court for Indy during ’13-14.

“I just went out there and tried to give it my all,” Miles said. “I’m confident I can step in and fill [Hansbrough’s] role. He’ll be missed; he was a special part of our group. I learned a lot from him and I’m going to try and fill that void as well.”

Mason agrees his brother shined in the Amway Center practice facility and is looking forward to his brother’s hopeful increase in minutes.

“He was blocking everything, man,” Mason said of his brother’s hot start to the week. “He had a good Summer League last year. With his size and athleticism, when he gets on the floor he’s going to make things happen defensively and then go after rebounds. So I expected that out of him.”

Miles is anticipating his little brother’s professional debut, too. He knew Mason would hit the ground running from day one.

“I wasn’t surprised at all. He just played like himself,” the older Plumlee said. “He got to show some things that maybe he didn’t have the chance to in college. That’s the same for a lot of guys that get drafted. At the next level, you have to learn some different skill sets, so I think he did that well and kind of got a taste of what it’s going to be like to play in this League.”

Mason was one of the leaders of a Brooklyn Nets Summer League team that went 0-5 and saw limited positive moments as a team. But their rookie big man was certainly a bright spot in an otherwise cloudy week.

Plumlee averaged 13.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 29.4 minutes per game for the Nets and had one of the highlight plays of the entire week.

“I was expecting to do pretty well,” the rookie said. “I knew guys were going to be looking for me, based on practice. I thought we would do a little bit better as a team, but it was a good week overall.”

But unfortunately, the two were never able to square off based on the new “playoff system” of the league. In fact, the last time they were even on the same basketball court was when they played one-on-one at Duke before last season. It goes without saying that they’re first meeting on an NBA court is something they’re both looking forward to.

“I would have liked to have played him [in Orlando] but it just didn’t work out,” Miles said. “I’m looking forward to when we do meet. It’s gonna be a lot of fun. It’s just basketball, but I’m sure we’ll go at it.” Mason says. “Our first meeting will definitely be physical. That’ll be a game that has a little extra something in that’s for sure.”

The two Plumlees, both standing at least 6-10 and weighing at least 235 pounds, were one of the hottest topics amidst press row in Orlando this week. Considering the Summer League featured more big names than usual, that’s saying some. And as many traditions go in the League, they’ll continue to bring the blue-collar attitude and grit down low to Playoff-contending teams this winter.

ORLANDO — The bright lights and big stage of Las Vegas make Orlando seem like a simple suburb. On Thursday, several players and members of the media fled the “small town” where the Magic reside to get ready for the big show with 22 teams. As the Amway Center practice facility grew quieter and more spacious, the competition on the court grew more tense and entertaining. These young guys have been playing together for over a week now, if you include practices and minicamps. Their chemistry on the court is definitely starting to show.

-The Oklahoma City Thunder were off today for this first time this week. It was a well-deserved rest for the Thunder, as their 4-0 record guarantees them a spot in the “championship game” on Friday. The Celtics were also off today, but only Kelly Olynyk really deserved the rest.

-Rudy Gobert made his length very evident today in Game 1. He blocked 3 shots and grabbed 8 rebounds while also scoring 11 points. At one point, I swear his fingertips were almost at the top of the backboard on when he went for a rebound. Trey Burke is still struggling in his first week of professional basketball. But, too be fair, he doesn’t have much NBA talent around him right now.

-Solomon Hill was again a key cog in the Pacers’ rotation. In 31 minutes, the Arizona product hung 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists on the Jazz. He might be the most impressive player this week in terms of defying his critiques.

-Miles Plumlee, who had been playing terrific basketball on both ends of the floor, twisted his ankle and unfortunately had to leave the game.

-The day’s second game, which featured the Heat and Pistons, was like watching a bunch of superheroes aerial sumo wrestling. It seemed like every time the Heat’s DJ Stephens leaped three feet into the air, Andre Drummond or Tony Mitchell were right there ready to clash. It might have been the most impressive showing of verticality the basketball world has seen in a long time.

-Outside of the high-jump contest, the game was also rather entertaining and really competitive. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had another strong game for the Pistons with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. And the game went down to the final buzzer.

-Peyton Siva went down late in the fourth quarter, rolling his left ankle after a beautiful lob to Drummond. Sheed then signaled to a referee, “injury timeout, cuz!” But, there is no such thing in Summer League…Then the Pistons went absolutely crazy as Mitchell slammed home an errant Korie Lucious floater to win the game, 78-77.

-Honestly, Wallace has done more coaching for the Pistons this week than Jason Kidd has for the Nets. Obviously it’s just Summer League, and they have two totally different roles, but that will be something to keep in mind.

-In the third game of the day, a battle between the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets, Houston’s size, strength and speed made the difference. The game was never really close largely impart to Terrence Jones and Greg Smith—both guys who arguably shouldn’t be in Summer League. Those two bigs combined for 28 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals.

-For Brooklyn, Mason Plumlee again played limited minutes and was not overly effective. Jason Kidd wasn’t even on the sideline during the majority of the game. That franchise clearly only cares about next season, and they have a lot to look forward to.

-James Southerland spent warmups for the day’s final contest dunking very hard and throwing a series of lobs to himself off the backboard. He needed to do something after his jumper’s been broken here.

-The Magic got off to a hot start against the Sixers, going up 27-18 after the first quarter. Victor Oladipo lead the opening charge with 10 points.

-The Sixers picked it up as the game went on and won the next two quarters. The two teams were knotted up at 69 entering the final period after a slew of great plays by Michael Carter-Williams, Arnett Moultrie’s activity around the rim and hot shooting from James Southerland. Maybe his pre game dunk routine warmed him up.

-It all came down to Victor Oladipo drilling a long step-back two in MCW’s grill with 4.4 seconds left to give Orlando the lead for good. Khalif Wyatt had a good look at the end but it ended up off the mark.

-The Sixers (0-4) will now play against the 0-4 Brooklyn Nets in the last place game on “Championship Friday.” Oklahoma City (4-0) will square off against Houston (4-0) in the League’s championship game at noon.

Within five minutes of when the Georgian behemoth walked into the Amway Center practice facility, at least a dozen people approached him to congratulate the newest Milwaukee Buck on his latest contract. Pachulia greeted everyone back with an enormous smile, a loving handshake and several hugs, too.

Pachulia loves people, too.

So, you can hate on Zaza all you want. Call him overpaid. Call him washed up. Call him past his prime. He doesn’t care what you think, he’s one of the most popular guys in the entire League.

His love for friendship and other positive relationships was evident in his free-agency signing this month. Pachulia decided to leave the Atlanta Hawks after eight years to return to his ’04-05 home in Wisconsin. Why?

“It’s like going back home,” Pachulia said. “I played there for a year, so I’m comfortable with the facilities and the people. It’s definitely going to be a good situation.”

But the people who Pachulia is joining in Milwaukee aren’t the guys that were with him back in the mid-’00s. He’s teaming up with his former Atlanta Hawks coach Larry Drew and now, potentially, his point guard Jeff Teague.

It’s also a close relationship that brought Pachulia down to Disney World in the first place.

“I’m here to watch Toko [Shengelia],” Pachulia said about his appearance at Summer League. “He’s like my little brother. We Georgians have to stick together.”

Shengelia, whose first name is actually Tornike, is about to enter his second season for the Nets. He appeared in 19 games last season during the team’s inaugural season in Brooklyn. Pachulia sees a promising young player.

“He’s been playing well, but he definitely needs to improve a lot,” he said of his close friend. “I think he can do something for [Brooklyn] next year.”

Whether going down south to take in some off-season ball or changing employers, relationships and friendly faces have kept Pachulia going and motivated throughout is time in the League. Now, it’s just a question of whether he and the Bucks can contend for the Playoffs next season.

ORLANDO —When Courtney Lee’s home games were played in Orlando, he was a rookie sidekick on Dwight Howard’s Magic team that fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, 4-1. Now, preparing to enter his sixth season in the League, Courtney Lee returned to the home of Orlando’s professional basketball organization—albeit in a new arena—as presumably one of the veteran leaders of the ’13-14 Boston Celtics club.

With Danny Ainge shipping Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal, Lee is now one of the longest tenured Celtics left on new head coach Brad Stevens’ roster, despite having played just one season in the TD Garden. On Tuesday, Lee and fellow Celtic, Jeff Green, sat courtside at the Amway Center practice court alongside Stevens.

SLAMonline caught up with the former Western Kentucky guard before his team squared off against the Indiana Pacers in Summer League to talk everything from his teammates, his life in Florida and the changing identity of the Celtics.

SLAM: What brings you to Orlando and Summer League?

Courtney Lee: Me and Jeff have been out here working out. We have a workout today after this. We’re just bonding, and we’ll probably take [Jared Sullinger] out there with us. We’ll probably talk to [Kelly Olynyk] a little bit. We came to watch him for the most part, he’s been playing well and been able to knock down shots—he’s been impressing us so far. That’s what the offseason is about, just working out with your teammates, bonding and whatnot and building chemistry.

SLAM: After starting you career in Orlando, what does it mean for you to come back here?

CL: When I started off, we were at the REV, so coming here, this is an amazing facility. But, I’ve always enjoyed Orlando. I’ve enjoyed my time here. I love everything about Orlando and the people here.

SLAM: Does seeing the Magic logo all over the walls bring you back to your loss in the Finalsand bring that bad taste back to your mouth?

CL: Man, you know what? Sometimes it does, but I live down here every year in the offseason so I’m getting used to it now.

SLAM: What do you remember from your Summer League experience?

CL: I remember playing five games in five days and physically and mentally drained [laughs]. But I enjoyed it man. My eyes were wide open and I was excited about everything and going through the whole process. Just being able to go through and be able to get drafted. I was excited about that and then playing out here with some of the guys I was going to be playing with throughout the year, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I enjoyed my time.

SLAM: How tough was the transition from being drafted one day and then immediately a week later you’re getting thrown right into practice and trying to pick up a team’s offense on the fly?

CL: It’s tough because it goes pretty fast. You have like three or four days of practice, so they’re trying to cram everything in with practices and then it gets right into the games. From college to the NBA, the pace of the game and the flow of the game is a lot different, so you’ve got to pick that up quickly. It’s definitely an adjustment, but it’s one all of these guys are willing to do.

SLAM: You were a first-round pick so obviously you had a guaranteed contract, but what do you remember about the guys who were fighting, essentially, for their NBA lives?

CL: I remember some of the practices man, they were competitive and rough. Like you said, those guys are fighting for a spot. When you put any wild animal out there in front of some raw meat and tell them whoever gets it wins, that’s pretty much what it was. I mean, it’s just an opportunity and I think anyone that plays basketball would go out there and fight for that. I was lucky to be drafted and have a guarantee.

SLAM: What’s one embarrassing memory or a funny mistake you made as a rookie that you can pass along to some of these young guys as advice?

CL: One of my rookie hazing things was when I forgot to hide my car keys when I got to practice. Afterward, when I went to find my car it was hidden and when I finally found it, it was full of popcorn. So that was a big mistake I made.

SLAM: Have you been watching any of these games on NBA TV?

CL: Oh, I’ve been watching every one.

SLAM: What have you seen out of Kelly that you’ve liked?

CL: The things that impressed me the most was when he caught the ball in transition and then pulled up for the three. That was the most impressive thing. He can shoot it, man.

SLAM: Back when you were playing in this city, you were a rookie. Sitting here now you’re going to be one of the most experience veterans on your Celtics squad next season. What’s it like to have that role change on a team?

CL: Well I still see myself as being pretty young, but it’s funny how things change. Obviously when I came into the League I was a rookie, I was wet behind the ears and I was exciting about everything, I was just young. Now as the years go on, you learn a lot about the game and the business and everything. You just gain knowledge and that’s knowledge you can pass down to the young people.

SLAM: With KG and Paul Pierce gone, do you feel prepared to be one of the longest tenured Celtics even though you’ve only been in Green for one season?

CL: I mean I’m sure I’m just going to be myself even if I’m one of the guys people come to for answers. I mean that’s what you’re supposed to do. If you’ve been through the ropes and you’ve been through the battles, it’s only right that you share your knowledge with the younger kids on your team, especially if you want to win. You want to help them pick it up as quick as possible.

SLAM: How much of have you had a chance to speak with Brad Stevens and what are your immediate impressions?

CL: We texted a few times when he first got the job and we also spoke a little last night. Me and Jeff were outside the hotel and spoke to him for a while. Then we met up with him today and walked over to the gym with him today. I’ve been knowing him for years. I mean, he’s from Indianapolis, I’m from Indianapolis, so we’ve been talking for a while.

SLAM:What are your thoughts on all of this ‘Boston is tanking’ drama and people doubting your team can compete next season?

CL: We definitely have a lot to prove and people are doubting us, so that puts a chip on our shoulders. But, the underdog always fights hard.

ORLANDO — My brother texted me during the Indiana Pacers’ narrow loss to the Boston Celtics at the Orlando Pro Summer League: “Why is Rasual Butler playing? I used to play with him in NBA Live 2005 with the Heat!”

My response: “You gotta do what you gotta do to make a paycheck.”

Butler is now more than a full year removed from when he last appeared in an NBA game on March 21, 2012 as a member of the Toronto Raptors. He spent ’12-13 with the Tulsa 66ers in the D-League. That’s a far cry from where he was back in his prime in the middle of the last decade, serving as a contributing role player on multiple Playoff teams.

Butler averaged 10.6 points in 31.6 minutes per game for the New Orleans Hornets in ’08-09. This week, he’s down in Orlando trying to make the Pacers’ squad for this upcoming season.

“It’s a great organization,” Butler said. “They’ve been competing in the East for the past couple of years, but they need shooting and veteran leadership and those are things I can bring to the table. So I felt like it was a great opportunity to give them an up close and personal look at me, practice with the team and see how it goes.”

Veteran leadership could simply be considered a synonym for old, this week. Butler is now 34, seven years older than the second oldest teammate on the Pacers’ summer league roster. But age is but a number for the swingman. He scored 7 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in just 12 minutes of action against the Celtics on Tuesday.

“This is just basketball, man,” Butler said after the game. “The game is a game and it follows you everywhere you go. You just gotta play your game and do what you do.”

He’s also enjoying being a leader and the savvy veteran on the team.

“I’m giving them as much advice as I can,” Butler said. “They ask me a lot of questions. I’m just being vocal, telling them where to go, what are the right places and settling them down. I make sure everybody knows their spots defensively. It’s a role that I’ve taken on and I’ve enjoyed.”

One of the younger players who is eager to hear Butler’s advice is former Syracuse guard Jonny Flynn. After being selected sixth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2009 NBA Draft, Flynn was essentially given the keys to the franchise as a rookie starting point guard. Now, just four years later, he’s fighting to even make an NBA roster while Ricky Rubio is living large at the point in Minneapolis.

Flynn last appeared in the League with the Portland Trail Blazers in the ’11-12 season. After falling out of the rotation with the Wolves, Flynn then became a trade piece in a deal with the Houston Rockets who then sent him to the Blazers.

“Sometimes things don’t always go as you’ve planned,” Flynn said about his time with the Timberwolves. “You just have to persevere, you have to show resolve and get through tough situations and that’s what I’m doing right now.”

After playing and starting in 81 games for Minnesota in his rookie ’09-10 campaign, Flynn only appeared in 82 games over his next two seasons with the Wolves, Rockets and Blazers. After his third NBA season ended, he felt it was best to go overseas.

“The last two years in the League, I was on the bench, so whenever I touched the court was when the dance team was out there and the mascots were shooting out t-shirts. Just being able to get out there this past year and have the ball tossed to me was a great experience,” Flynn said of his time playing in Australia for the Melbourne Tigers in ’12-13. “You know, I love the game more than I love the NBA, so just getting to play was great for me.”

This week, he’s seen limited time with the Pacers in Orlando. After not appearing in the team’s opening contest on Sunday against the Thunder, Flynn has averaged 2.5 points and 3 assists in 12 minutes per game in Indiana’s last two contests. But, he’s still very confident in what he can do on the court.

Flynn will be playing with the Los Angeles Clippers in the Las Vegas Summer League in hopes to increase his chances to find a spot on an NBA roster this fall. On the other hand, Butler is sticking with the Pacers and is giving it all he’s got to join Paul George in Indy this season.

For both players, it’s just about playing basketball and being themselves this week. But, ultimately, getting back to the League is something they both would love and cherish.

Orlando Summer League kicked off Sunday morning, and as expected, a variety of NBA players tweeted about their personal performances, those of their teammates and friends, random observations about the games and plenty more. Check ’em all out in the gallery above.

While assistant coaches generally take the sidelines in summer league, Nets skipper Jason Kidd will coach at the Orlando Summer League next month. It makes a lot of sense for the Kidd to start gaining experience. More from Newsday: “Kidd said Friday that he plans on coaching the Nets’ summer league team in Orlando next month, hoping to use it as a learning tool as he dives headfirst into the next chapter of his career. ‘I think it’s the best thing to get right into it,’ Kidd said on ESPN Radio. ‘I know that a lot of times head coaches don’t coach summer league. But this gives me time to work on different parts of the game, learning to be a coach, also my philosophy and plays and the defensive stuff that I’ll get to put in as my system. So, I get to see if it works. If it doesn’t work, [then see] what changes I have to make and work from there.'”

It’s sorta weird to say in mid-July, but yesterday was one of the busiest, most-crammed days of basketball in a long time. The festivities commenced at 8 a.m. EST Friday morning and lasted in full-force for 16-plus hours, traversing into the wee-hours of the night. There were 16 teams, eight games, and hardly any time for breaks. Just ask SLAM Editor-at-Large Lang Whitaker.

As the Las Vegas Summer League got underway—well, for some; dust yourself off and try again, Jimmer!—the Orlando Summer League, which featured eight teams and seven first-round picks from this year’s draft, finished up its five-day season. With three times as many squads competing and an adequate-sized facility to host the games, things will most likely be more lively in Vegas. But that doesn’t mean Orlando didn’t give us a nice look at some of the L’s brightest young talent, and a bunch of highlights to go along with them. Above are the Top 25 plays from the past week in Orlando, featuring appearances from Reggie Jackson, Miles Plumlee, Alec Burks, Justin Holiday, Tyshawn Taylor and a bunch of others. Good stuff, guys.

Earlier this morning, Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson concluded his stay at the Orlando Summer League on a high note, posterizing reigning NBA Dunk Contest Champion Jeremy Evans at the rim. Ouch, Jeremy.

Today, roughly a year after the Lockout callously uprooted the NBA Summer League, the basketball world is finally within arms length of its long-awaited return to equilibrium.

For the next five days, the Orlando Magic will graciously open up its practice facility at the Amway Center to host the AirTran Airways Orlando Pro Summer League. The eight-team, 20-game event commences today, July 9, and runs through Friday, July 13, with every game broadcasted live on NBA TV.

Unlike the Las Vegas Summer League, which begins Friday and will field a record 24 teams, the Orlando Summer League is not open to public viewing, as only media and NBA personnel are permitted on site. This is strictly because of space limitations, as the practice court can accommodate roughly 300 guests. But despite the relative seclusion and small number of participants, the league will showcase six playoff teams and seven first-round Draft picks throughout the week.

While summer league is a period of enjoyment and anticipation for the fans, it’s all business for the guys involved. Let’s take a look at players on each team with the most to prove during their time in Orlando.

Brooklyn Nets: MarShon Brooks

After a very solid rookie campaign, posting averages of 12.6 points and 2.3 assists per game, Brooks should be one of the leading scorers in Orlando. With the Nets’ current roster, it looks like Brooks will spearhead the scoring load on the second unit. Coming into his sophomore campaign, Avery Johnson is hoping Brooks can be more prudent with his shot selection and take what is given, not trying to force anything that isn’t there. If he can show he is comfortable within the constraints of an offense, then Brooks should be in good shape. After all, he may have no choice but to get comfortable in Orlando, as he could very well find himself in a Magic uniform come next season.

Boston Celtics: JaJuan Johnson, Jared Sullinger

With no summer league and not much time for contending teams to experiment with their rookies, Johnson never got a real chance to show what he can contribute. In the small flashes of playing time he did get, though, Johnson showcased two things the Celtics desperately needed: athleticism and versatility. He’s not the most explosive player, but Johnson has range out to 17 feet and jumps well for his size. Now we’ll see if he can put his skills in use, and give Doc Rivers a reason to increase his role going forward.

As for Sullinger, well, you know the story by now. The once-projected top-7 pick slid to the 21st pick in this year’s draft because of a medically “red-flagged” back. Criticism about his lack of athleticism and “inadequate” body frame accentuated his health concerns and led to numerous teams passing on him. Being one of the more competitive players in the rookie class, Sullinger will be out to prove his critics wrong and show that his game can, and will, translate to the NBA level.

Indiana Pacers: Lance Stephenson

Stephenson has spent the majority of his first two NBA seasons on the bench in Indiana, and in all reality, this is a make-or-break summer for Lance. This is his time to step up and prove that he’s ready to be, at the least, a solid rotation player. With his biggest supporter (Larry Bird) no longer with the organization and his contract not guaranteed for next season, the time is now for Stephenson.

In his first and only summer league two years ago, Stephenson was arguably the best player in all of Orlando. But with concerns about his defense and maturity, and a stack of guards ahead of him in Indiana, Lance never got a chance to prove himself on the court. In the Pacers’ season finale vs the Bulls, though, Lance played a career high 35 minutes and didn’t disappoint. In his first start as a professional, he scored 22 points on 10-15 shooting. Now it’s time to build on that.

Utah Jazz: Enes Kanter

Kanter played well last season (4.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 13.2 mpg), especially considering he was thrown onto a team that was loaded on the frontline and consistently in the fray. Still, the second-year forward could certainly use some grooming in summer league. Kanter has great hands around the rim and is very bulky, which makes him hard to defend once he catches the ball in the paint. He’s already a good rebounder, and if he can develop a 15-foot jumper and some solid footwork to operate on the block, Kanter would not only continue his ascension towards a solid NBA career but would make Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors more expendable.

Orlando Magic: Ishmael Smith

There are more intriguing names on Orlando’s roster, such as Andrew Nicholson, Kyle O’Quinn or Justin Harper, but in terms of can this guy play or not?, I think the most pressure is on Smith.

Smith has already been on four teams in only two NBA seasons, but contrary to what you would probably assume, he’s played well when given the opportunity. He showed flashes of good court vision in Houston, didn’t get much of an opportunity in Memphis and Golden State, and seemed out of place in 20 games with a dysfunctional Magic squad last year. Smith’s window to prove he belongs is slowly closing though, as he’s currently an unrestricted free agent. These next fives days are his league-wide audition, something he needs to capitalize on.

While OKC’s main trio is out in Vegas preparing for the London Olympics, three guys on the Thunder’s summer league roster will have the microscope on them as well.

For Jackson, it’s time to show that he’s made strides offensively, enough to give Scott Brooks confidence to play him next season. The Thunder brought in Derek Fisher after Eric Maynor’s knee injury because they didn’t feel comfortable handing over the second unit to Jackson. Jackson has always been a solid defender, but he got flustered on offense a lot, turning the ball over and not doing much in terms of getting his teammates open. I love his tenacity and athleticism, but those skills alone won’t get you minutes at the point guard spot.

In terms of Perry Jones, well, much like Sullinger you already know the backdrop. A reported bummed knee coupled with character questions and having no definite “position” on the NBA level led to Jones plummeting to the 28th pick on draft night. Still, he could wind up being the steal of the Draft, as Jones has lottery talent and arguably the best raw tools among all rookies. It’ll be real interesting to see whether Jones plays the 3 or the 4 (or both), and to see if he’s developed a mental toughness that wasn’t always on display at Baylor.

Williams is the first player in NBA history to go straight from high school to the D-League. He was drafted by the Thunder (via Miami) in the second round of the 2010 Draft and is still out to prove he can play in the League. I honestly don’t know too much about Williams, and that’s part of the reason he fascinates me. He’s a 6-8 swingman who, at only 23 years old, still has a lot of untapped potential. Running on an athletic OKC summer league squad could bring out the best in him.

Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond, Kyle Singler

Drummond is considered by many to be the definition of high risk, high reward as he has all the physical tools to be a star but has questions marks on his footwork, motor and work ethic. Still, at 7-foot, he jumps out of the gym and runs the floor like a gazelle, and if he pans out, would make a very scary frontcourt in Detroit playing alongside Greg Monroe.

Singler will finally make his NBA debut after playing in Spain last season. Over the span of 36 regular season games for Real Madrid, the former Duke forward averaged 8 points per game, shooting 54 percent from the field and 43 percent from behind the arc. It’ll be interesting to see what role Singler can play on an NBA team, and if nothing else, it’ll be great to see him competing in the States.

Philadelphia 76ers: Lavoy Allen

After doing an admirable job guarding Kevin Garnett throughout the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Allen gained the respect and support of Doug Collins and virtually all Sixers fans. Allen is an even-keeled guy who comes to work every day looking to get better, and that’s exactly what he’ll do in Orlando. If he can polish his offensive game a bit, Allen will carve out a lengthy NBA career. His next step towards improvement begins today.